An Officer’s Account

What a site! Levine’s fifty tools are amazing (those that are still in play without broken links, etc.).  I have used this site in the past (ETEC 511), but any excuse to explore further some of the tools is exciting.  There are a number of gems that have come forward from this site (most notably prezi.com and pixton.com).

I chose to explore the Pixton webware for the versatility that it offered.  It is really interesting how you can (with patience!) create any shape of character.  Pixton was a little frustrating in that there is a complicated system where one can earn credits (I finally broken down and did a trial netflix in order to get a whopping 300 credits) by visiting, posting on Facebook, or trying different things.  In conversation with my supervisor at work, we discussed the nature of our work being mostly second-language learners.  We have often discussed in the past supplementing our work with visual descriptions, and when I came across Pixton, that seemed like something that is possible.  I have written a number of scenarios that are quite simple to begin discussions, but it was a very different experience to draw it out.  The narrative structure changed the typically-descriptive dynamic of the scenarios.  It was challenging in every aspect; what colour skin do the characters get? how do I portray meaning without words (in order to acheive the goal of a supplemented scenario)? how do I write an effective scenario without putting too much in and confusing the scene, yet still make it realistic and not leave out the details?

The intention of this scenario is to be used in a Human Rights in Corrections course.  This is to begin the discussion on the appropriate use of force and the violations of power.  How do you take such a serious topic and portray it fairly in a comic?  I imagine it is the facilitation that makes this a usable document.

While these tools are accessible in that no specific software is required (available to all), the nature of the computer skills (or if not skills, comfortability) is not all that possible for our audience (South American and African).  This tool would most likely be used by designers to build the coursewares and not by the participants themselves.  On the other hand, as adults, the tools of course would be as accessible as possible to the participants.

In terms of motivation, I am excited to learn the balance between achieving the goals of accessibility for second-language learners by enhancing the scenarios with visual cues.

An interesting task that has led to lots of interesting questions, and possibly an exciting solution.

Kristopher